2013
Nickell had an outstanding senior season for the Pirates, appearing in all 22 games. He scored four goals and recorded five assists for the Pirates, third most assists on the team. He posted a season high three points against Centenary on October 20th, scoring one goal and assisting on one other. Nickell earned a Second Team All-West Region pick and was selected as the SCAC Defensive Player of the Year to go along with his First Team All-SCAC selection. Nickell also earned a spot on the SCAC All-Tournament team and was the SCAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Week 9 and was named to the SCAC Academic Honor Roll.
2012
Nickell made the move from midfielder to defender and started all 23 games for the Pirates. He earned All-SCAC First-Team honors and was tabbed to the SCAC All-Tournament team as well. He added two goals and two assists on the season and totaled six points. Nickell also earned a spot on the SCAC Academic Honor Roll.
2011 (Sophomore)
Nickell was once again a strong presence for the Pirates, starting all 19 games for Southwestern. Matthew was fourth on the team in goals (3), first in assists (4), and third in points (10). He was named to the SCAC Academic Honor Roll and earned the Director of Athletics Academic Excellence Award.
2010 (First-year)
Nickell made a mark in his first season with the Pirates, appearing in 19 contests in SU's midfield. He scored two goals and assisted on one other for five points. Nickell took 14 shots, seven on goal, for a .500 shots on goal percentage. He was member of the SCAC Fall 2010 Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll and Director of Athletics Academic Excellence Award.
High School
Matthew, a 2010 graduate of Aledo High School, earned first team All-District honors his freshman, sophomore, and junior years for the Bearcats. He stepped up his award to First Team All-State his senior year.
Personal
Matthew is the son of Craig and Mary and has two sisters, Kelly and Jennifer. Matthew is a biochemistry major with a minor in computer science at SU.
